Using 4GB of RAM in a 32bit OS?
Moderator:Moderators
-
- Senior Member
- Posts:2151
- Joined:Wed Dec 13, 2006 2:43 pm
- PSN Username:Geekystig790
- 360 GamerTag:Mesu Gitsune
- Location:Fairborn, Ohio
Ok I WAS gonna get an Extra 2GB of RAM, but then I heard that 32bit can only address so much RAM.
I am using 32-bit Windows Vista Business edition, on a 64-bit Phenom Processor, since I am using a 64bit Processor would it recognize my RAM under 32bit Vista?
I saw that there is a fix, but I heard of allot of problems from people where their system still didn't see all the RAM, to where the computer wouldn't even boot anymore.
If I indeed can't use 4GB of RAM under 32bit Vista, will my CD key for my copy of Vista work with the 64-bit version of Vista Business?
I am using 32-bit Windows Vista Business edition, on a 64-bit Phenom Processor, since I am using a 64bit Processor would it recognize my RAM under 32bit Vista?
I saw that there is a fix, but I heard of allot of problems from people where their system still didn't see all the RAM, to where the computer wouldn't even boot anymore.
If I indeed can't use 4GB of RAM under 32bit Vista, will my CD key for my copy of Vista work with the 64-bit version of Vista Business?
- bicostp
- Moderator
- Posts:10491
- Joined:Mon Mar 07, 2005 5:47 pm
- Steam ID:bicostp
- Location:Spamalot
- Contact:
From what I've heard, 32 bit OSes only see between 3.25 and 3.5 GB of memory. No, the 64 bit CPU won't translate the memory addresses for the 32 bit OS.
I don't think your 32 bit Vista license will work for a 64 bit OS, and definitely won't work for a different version.
I don't think your 32 bit Vista license will work for a 64 bit OS, and definitely won't work for a different version.
Twitter
http://www.pcwgaming.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you want a Dropbox account, please use my referral link
http://www.pcwgaming.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you want a Dropbox account, please use my referral link
-
- Senior Member
- Posts:2151
- Joined:Wed Dec 13, 2006 2:43 pm
- PSN Username:Geekystig790
- 360 GamerTag:Mesu Gitsune
- Location:Fairborn, Ohio
*sigh*
Oh Well, all the games I have tried under Vista 32-bit with only 2GB of RAM have run Flawlessly with no slowdown at all (Except for Crysis, and that was cause of my Graphics Card)
Oh Well, all the games I have tried under Vista 32-bit with only 2GB of RAM have run Flawlessly with no slowdown at all (Except for Crysis, and that was cause of my Graphics Card)
yeah, I am not paying anything to upgrade to 64bit, for an OS I already legally own.Skyone wrote:You'll need to upgrade to a 64-bit operating system, simple as that. It's simply not worth all the work and danger of memory map editing.
Assuming that you actually bought the OS on a Retail DVD then go here and request a DVD for the 64 Bit Version:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1 ... fault.mspx
It might work with OEM Versions and PC Company Versions too, give it a try
I think it costs like $10, so it's just for shipping and the cost of the Media I guess. Piracy is always an option too isn't it?
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1 ... fault.mspx
It might work with OEM Versions and PC Company Versions too, give it a try
I think it costs like $10, so it's just for shipping and the cost of the Media I guess. Piracy is always an option too isn't it?
-
- Senior Member
- Posts:2151
- Joined:Wed Dec 13, 2006 2:43 pm
- PSN Username:Geekystig790
- 360 GamerTag:Mesu Gitsune
- Location:Fairborn, Ohio
Thanks for the link Harsh.Harshboy wrote:Assuming that you actually bought the OS on a Retail DVD then go here and request a DVD for the 64 Bit Version:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1 ... fault.mspx
It might work with OEM Versions and PC Company Versions too, give it a try
I think it costs like $10, so it's just for shipping and the cost of the Media I guess. Piracy is always an option too isn't it?
I have have a Student copy of Vista Business, and I can't find my Key atm so I can't check.
But I decided that 2GB is just fine for me right now, cause I realized that my games run just fine on 2GB.
You can use the /PAE switch in boot.ini to switch the processor to a bizarre but fast 36-bit mode, in which more than 4GB of ram can be addressed.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/833721
Not many programs take advantage of it, but if you use the /3GB switch, I believe it will coincidentally make the kernel use the extra ram a bit more. You can also justify turning off your page file at that point.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/833721
Not many programs take advantage of it, but if you use the /3GB switch, I believe it will coincidentally make the kernel use the extra ram a bit more. You can also justify turning off your page file at that point.
...
I don't use vista, I'm not stupid. Mine is off too, but for some people doing very intensive graphical or audio (or both) work, 2GB is not enough for that.timmeh87 wrote:Im under XP with 2GB and its been off for a year . Runs like magic.Bibin wrote:You can also justify turning off your page file at that point.
Have fun using vista
Oh, you meant him.
No, you will not have fun using vista. I'm too tired to list off my personal reasons I have myself (uninfluenced from the experience from others; this is solely through installation on many systems as part of working in an IT department for school credit) experienced. You'll buy it, and keep telling yourself "It's not too bad, it wasn't a waste of money" until you snap and format & install XP again.
...
-
- Senior Member
- Posts:2151
- Joined:Wed Dec 13, 2006 2:43 pm
- PSN Username:Geekystig790
- 360 GamerTag:Mesu Gitsune
- Location:Fairborn, Ohio
Well I didn't pay anything for, not a dime.
I Would never pay for an OS, no matter how good it is. (No I am not implying that Vista is THAT good.)
I will still probably Install XP 64bit to a Separate HDD, but Vista will be my main OS.
I would just Rather have a New OS on a new computer rather than an OS that has been around for 7 years.
You can't use DirectX10 with XP now can you?
I Would never pay for an OS, no matter how good it is. (No I am not implying that Vista is THAT good.)
I will still probably Install XP 64bit to a Separate HDD, but Vista will be my main OS.
I would just Rather have a New OS on a new computer rather than an OS that has been around for 7 years.
You can't use DirectX10 with XP now can you?
Name a real solid advantage that DX10 brings. Don't say performance; any gain on performance has been overshadowed by the rest of the OS.
Also, Xp 64 bit is almost as bad as Vista * bit. Use XP 32-bit on a separate partition if you are going to keep an extra OS at all.
XP has been around for seven years and is still in use because it's evolved into a fantastic system that isn't even close to being out of support by application developers.
Also, Xp 64 bit is almost as bad as Vista * bit. Use XP 32-bit on a separate partition if you are going to keep an extra OS at all.
XP has been around for seven years and is still in use because it's evolved into a fantastic system that isn't even close to being out of support by application developers.
...
My friend has a similar problem in Windows XP Professional 32-bit. He got 4GB of RAM, and only 2.75GB showed up within Windows. When he booted in Linux, it could see all 4GB. I guess it's his EVGA nForce motherboard or something. Regardless, his BIOS was able to see all 4GB.
The reason for this is really complicated, but the BIOS has to allocate memory locations for not on the RAM but also the video card RAM, etc. and it will run out of places in a 32-bit environment.
Do not resort to the /3GB boot option switch. You may have luck with /PAE, however.
The reason for this is really complicated, but the BIOS has to allocate memory locations for not on the RAM but also the video card RAM, etc. and it will run out of places in a 32-bit environment.
Do not resort to the /3GB boot option switch. You may have luck with /PAE, however.